6. He said to his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this to my master, the Lord's anointed, to put my hand out against him, when he is the anointed of the Lord.
7. So David checked his men with these words and did not let them rise against Saul. But Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.
8. David also arose afterward and went out of the cave and called after Saul, saying, My lord the king! And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and did obeisance.
9. And David said to Saul, Why do you listen to the words of men who say, David seeks to do you harm?
10. Behold, your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hands in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.
11. See, my father, see the skirt of your robe in my hand! Since I cut off the skirt of your robe and did not kill you, you know and see that there is no evil or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, yet you hunt my life to take it.
12. May the Lord judge between me and you, and may the Lord avenge me upon you, but my hand shall not be upon you.
13. As the proverb of the ancients says, Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be against you.
14. After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog? After a flea?
15. May the Lord be judge and judge between me and you, and see and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hands. [Ps. 142.]
16. When David had said this to Saul, Saul said, Is this your voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
17. He said to David, You are more upright in God's eyes than I, for you have repaid me good, but I have rewarded you evil.
18. You have declared today how you have dealt well with me; for when the Lord gave me into your hand, you did not kill me.
19. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.